Roadwork alert for Queen Street

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Queen Street, Denbighshire

28 June - 30 June

 

Delays likely - Traffic control (two-way signals)

 

Description: MJ QUINN TO RENEW JOINT BOX OR FRAME AND COVER...

 

Works location: AT JUNCTION OF BUTLERS HILL AND QUEEN STREET...

 

Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.

 

Responsibility for works: Openreach

 

Current status: Planned work about to start

 

Works reference: BC006MQONSAWN0SRWD5L183F

Update on cost of living support payments in Denbighshire

Denbighshire County Council has administered over £3.2 million of cost of living support payments being funded by Welsh Government.

A total of 21,535 people in the county have already received the one off £150 payment. The Welsh Government’s Cost of Living Support Scheme is in place to help residents with cost of living increases and payments will be made to those with properties in Council Tax bands A-D.

Payments will also be made to residents who were in receipt of Council Tax Reduction Scheme Support on February 15, 2022, irrespective of the Council Tax Band, and those with properties in Council Tax Band E where the property has had modifications for disability, reducing the chargeable value to Band D.

Now the Council is encouraging other residents to apply for the funds and an email or text message will be sent to people where the Council has their contact details and a mailshot is being issued to all other qualifying residents, inviting them to apply.

* Applications can be made on the website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/costofliving.

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “The Council is administering this scheme on behalf of the Welsh Government and we have been working as quickly as possible to make these payments to our customers.

“Many people have already received payments, but we want to make sure that all those eligible for the payments submit their applications as quickly as possible.

“Payments will be made automatically to the majority of residents paying via direct debit, with the remainder of customers needing to complete a short form on the Council’s website.

“The cost of living continues to challenge all of us it is vitally important that our residents claim what is due to them and I would encourage people to apply for the support payment.”

Llangollen Round raises record £100,000 for cancer charity

* From left, Llangollen Round organisers Sandra Woodhall and Judy Smith, Nadine Isaacs of Cancer Research UK, and organiser Jason Morley. 

The fourth Llangollen Round Challenge, held last month, has raised a record £100,000 for a cancer charity.

And the often gruelling 35-mile run/walk through the beautiful yet tough terrain of the hills surrounding the town, which can be completed in either one or two days, saw another record set for the route being completed in the fastest time.

Volunteers and friends of the challenge who met for a post-event gathering at The Hand Hotel yesterday (Thursday) were given the full facts of the highly successful event by one of its long-time volunteers, Trevor Jeffries.

He said that since being launched in 2012 by members of the Llangollen Ramblers group and based roughly on the Alpine Walk Tour of Mont Blanc, the amount raised for Cancer Research UK by the challenge had climbed from £33,000 to over £100,000 this year.

* Trevor Jeffries gives fellow volunteers a report on this year's Round Challenge.

The 2022 challenge, on the last weekend in May, had attracted over 600 entries from across the UK and abroad and saw 238 walkers or runners finishing it in a single day with another 189 completing it in two. 

A fresh record was set when the first person back at the event's Llangollen Leisure Centre base was certified to have covered the whole 35 miles in just seven hours.

The fastest woman completed it in just seven hours and 34 minutes. 

As usual, a small army of over 80 volunteers manned checkpoints along the route, where those taking part were served with water supplied free by local businesses and cakes presented by home bakers in the area.

More helpers were back at base checking in participants and handing out their times.   

Trevor Jeffries read out a series of messages organisers had received from participants describing in glowing terms their enjoyment of the event and the way it had been organised.

One said: "Thank you so much, organisers and volunteers, really great day out and all for a great cause - after the views and people and flapjack the highlight was a high five from the town crier!"

And another wrote: "What an amazing weekend. It's definitely not for the faint-hearted but with persistence and determination I managed to complete it, over two days mind you."

"Thank you so much for this year's event. My daughter and I loved the Saturday one-day round even though we both cried a lot at the end," said another.

There was special thanks - and a presentation - to the "dynamic trio" of Sandra Woodhall, Judy Smith and Jason Morley who organised the challenge.

And Nadine Isaacs, relationship manager (North Wales) at Cancer Research UK, said: "It's lovely to be here this evening to celebrate the huge success of the Llangollen Round Challenge.

"Forty years ago the cancer survival rate was one in four. Today it is two in four but Cancer Research UK's mission is to reduce this further to three in four.

"Without the support we receive from fundraisers such as you we could not continue with our research."  

Council promotes county's overnight stay businesses

With another busy staycation season expected, Denbighshire County Council is promoting the county’s businesses providing overnight stays and parking. 

A number of businesses have signed up to be included on the North East Wales tourism website and in printed brochures which are now available across the region. 

The work also supports the council’s #LoveLiveLocal campaign which encourages people to support our local businesses. 

Councillor Win Mullen James, Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “Denbighshire offers visitors a wide range of experiences with everything from stunning countryside and market towns to seaside resorts and centuries of rich heritage to explore. 

“There are a number of fantastic businesses in the county that offer overnight stays and facilities for motorhomes and campervans. We are encouraging those visiting to make use of these sites to enhance your stay in Denbighshire. 

“Visitors can plan their trips in the safe knowledge they can book a place and turn up to park in a location that is easy, on the route, and offers a warm welcome. 

“Last year we saw visitors flock to the area as restrictions were lifted and we developed Denbighshire’s Destination Management Plan in partnership with tourism businesses to coordinate activity to ensure a positive experience for visitors, residents and businesses. 

“Tourism contributes £552million a year to Denbighshire’s economy and we want people to come to Denbighshire this summer and return again year after year, so it is important we make the county safe and welcoming to visitors while giving residents confidence that they remain safe.” 

* You can find the list of site at https://www.northeastwales.wales/tourist-information/motorhome-parking-in-north-east-wales 

Businesses offering motorhome parking can be included in this list by contacting tourism@denbighshire.gov.uk

 

Indie rock stars help mark century of Llan festivals

* Elles Bailey. 

* Kizzy Crawford. 

* Amber Run.

Global indie rock sensations Amber Run and blues powerhouse Elles Bailey will be among the stars as North Wales gears up for one of its greatest ever festivals.

They will be taking to the famous pavilion stage for a “joyous, family-friendly jamboree” as the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns as a physical event for the first time since 2019.

Sunday, July 10, will see this year’s festival-within-a-festival, Llanfest, take on a format the like of which it has never attempted before.

The International Eisteddfod has partnered with Llangollen Fringe Festival as they mark a combined record of 100 years of producing standout festivals.

The Eisteddfod is celebrating its landmark 75th anniversary and the Fringe is marking 25 years in existence.

As well as Amber Run and Elles Bailey, there will be sets from Cardiff based music producer Minas, and Bajan-Welsh singer songwriter Kizzy Crawford who has been making waves on the international festival scene and on BBC radio.

In something of a happy coincidence Kizzy’s sister Eädyth - whose voice is also fast becoming familiar to radio listeners - will be performing on a different stage.

The Eisteddfod’s Executive Producer, Camilla King, said: “The buzz in the air is tangible as excitement builds for a different kind of experience. It’s going to be a fun and family-friendly, end-of-Eisteddfod celebration.

“It’s been hugely rewarding to make this happen in what is a truly momentous year for both organisations. There’s no better way to honour two such significant anniversaries.”

Equally enthusiastic is Llangollen Fringe Festival programmer and Artistic Director Neal Thompson.

He said: “This day is definitely one not to be missed. It’s long been talked about but never happened before, so there’s a real vibe in the air, a huge sense of anticipation that something very special is about to happen here.

“It’s amazing when you think about it that we’ve both reached such significant anniversaries in the same year. That’s a full century of music-making between us, which has made Llangollen one of the most lauded small towns in the world.”

Adding to the fervour of the occasion is an even wider sense of inclusivity in the programme from the Eisteddfod already known for its ethos of harmony and togetherness.

It runs from Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 10 and first up is the Schools Day and the Young Peacemaker Awards.

Over the four days there will be a host of new attractions and activities on the revamped outdoor site, including music, dance, talks, comedy, food, drink, shopping, workshops and pop-up entertainment.

In the evenings there will be concerts featuring the singing duo of Aled Jones and Russell Watson, and Anoushka Shankar, the British-Indian-American sitar player, producer, film composer and activist who is the daughter of renowned musician Ravi Shankar, and half-sister of singer Norah Jones.

The competitions climax on Saturday night with Choir of the World and the contest for the Pendine International Voice of the Future featuring the finest young singers from around the world on the stage where icons Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Sir Bryn Terfel and Luciano Pavarotti have performed.

Camilla said: “We’ve got something for everyone including festival stalwarts, competition veterans, overseas visitors, young families, and the wider community. It’s important to me that we’re a truly inclusive event.”

With tickets already selling, she advises audiences to go online and book for what could be one of the most memorable days in the Eisteddfod’s history.

She added: “Llanfest has always been that little bit more relaxed, with the competitions over and everyone just enjoying the buzz of meeting up on a Sunday and being in the fantastic Llangollen environment.

“At the same time there will be an opportunity to look forward, a sense of regeneration, of hope and optimism for the future, as the young and vibrant performers from the background of the Fringe inject their own unbridled enthusiasm into the occasion.”

According to Neal, the Llanfest itinerary encompasses some bands who have been firm favourites of the Fringe past as well as up and coming names of today’s vibrant Welsh and UK music scenes.

He said: “Undoubtedly a highlight will be big names like Amber Run and the fabulous Kizzy Crawford. But as ever we’ve also got a wealth of local talent from home grown bands.”

They include Baby Brave, a new wave-noise pop outfit from Wrexham who release their latest EP, Sunny Days in Dark Rooms, in July via Mai 68 Records.

North Wales four piece Alpha Chino will be there in advance of also releasing an EP, The Last Astronaut, in August.

Adding extra musical diversity will be 25-strong Chester Big Band who mix it up with funk, soul and pop, while Llareggub Brass Band brings a unique sound which invokes strains of New York Bronx-based hip hop with Welsh language pop.

Also on the programme are Wrexham duo Igloo Hearts, and Paperchase, a multi-generational band of session artists led by Andy Hickie.

Neal said Llanfest promises a thrilling overlap fusing the finale of the Eisteddfod with a foretaste of Llangollen Fringe 2022 which runs from July 22-30.

* For the full Fringe programme visit:  www.llangollenfringe.co.uk and for more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ or check out https://www.facebook.com/llangollen

Ladies of Llangollen give tour of their Plas Newydd home

* Jane Hoy and Helen Sandler play the Ladies of Llangollen.

A new play about the lives of the famous Ladies of Llangollen will be performed at their famous home early next month.

In their fourth appearance at the historic venue Queer Tales for Wales are back by popular demand with a production of Round the Home Circuit: a tour of Plas Newydd grounds with the Ladies of Llangollen on Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3rd, at 4pm.

It is described as a "lively re-imagining" by Jane Hoy and Helen Sandler.

In 1780 Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby found a home for life at Plas Newydd. 

And visitors are invited to join them in an intimate tour round the grounds of the house which was their home for 50 years. 

The Ladies will be accompanied by their beloved housekeeper Mary Caryll. 

On the way they will share stories about their lives, their cows, famous guests, and how they survived scurrilous gossip.

Those coming along are advised to wear stout shoes and bring a brolly just in case.

Tickets are £18.50, to include the promenade performance, tea and cake with the Ladies at the Stable block tearooms and entry to Plas Newydd House including the Sarah-Joy Ford ‘Beloved’ exhibition, at any time on the day of booking.

* For tickets please email: plasnewydd@denbighshire.gov.uk

Latest Mazda CX-5 SUV has loads to offer

Mazda CX-5 drive by Steve Rogers

Get behind the wheel of Mazda’s big-selling SUV and you will either be content or disappointed.

Content because it is a traditional car with traditional three-dial driver’s binnacle and traditional easy to use heating controls. Then again you might be disappointed at not having a high-tech TV style wide screen dashboard display as seen in the ultra modern Kia Sportage featured a few weeks ago.

Oh, and something else, there is no hybrid option.

Don’t be too quick to write off the 2022 CX-5 as old hat because it still has loads to offer. Mazda has built its reputation on cars with a sporty bite and that is the case with CX-5, arguably the best handling SUV in its class and upgrades to the suspension have made it even better so it is comfortable and rewarding when you put your foot down.

It has also had some cosmetic treatment to the front, nothing too dramatic, just a few nips and tucks to keep things fresh.

So where do I sit on the dashboard layout? It is hardly classic car dials and switches, in fact it has a bang up to date 10.2in central screen for radio, navigation and such like, and even better, it is not a touchscreen. Mazda is sticking with the rotary controller between the seats which is the easiest system I have come across.... ever.

It is dated compared to the Sportage which, incidentally, I did like, but so much easier to use than the complex Volvo XC40 infotainment centre. Thank heavens for the Swede’s brilliant voice control technology which is better than the Mazda.

So many cars have a binnacle with full screen mapping and computer generated everything so it is comforting to be faced with standard, clear dials. There is all the information needed along with Mazda’s excellent head up display with speed, rudimentary navigation instructions and the surface speed limit.

Engine choice is 2-litre petrol, 2.2 litre diesel and the 2.5 litre petrol which I used for towing. In its class CX-5 has one of the best towing capacities now that key competitors like Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav-4 have gone hybrid.

I expected the powerful all wheel drive Mazda to guzzle gas like no tomorrow with a caravan on the back but no, it returned a creditable 24mpg matching the hybrid Kia Sportage. Granted, consumption takes a tumble against the hybrids driving solo, dipping to low thirties, although I surprised myself returning 41mpg on a 90 mile Sunday stroll.

As a family car CX-5 ticks most of the boxes with plenty of space, ample legroom front and back and a good sized boot with levers in the side walls to drop the 40-20-40 back seat configuration.

Mazda has been pushing to break into the premium market and in my book has made it. CX-5 is a good example with quality trim and fittings right through the car. It is well off for safety features and generally well equipped. At the top end GT Sport lacks for nothing with 360 degree camera heated and ventilated front seats and heated outer rear seats, navigation, Apple Carplay and Android auto connections among the highlights.

CX-5 with its high engine emissions will struggle against hybrid rivals on some running costs and, in particular, as a company car where tax breaks favour the hybrids. Yet there is still something appealing about the Mazda, a bit like pulling on your favourite pair of slippers, all very comforting.

There is nothing that can’t sort out CX-5 than a hybrid engine to match its rivals. Doubt that can happen without a total rebuild but there is a hybrid on the horizon. CX-60 plug in hybrid is due in the autumn but it is bigger and more expensive so, Mazda, more hybrids please.

What the wife said....

It was good to get into a car and not need a degree in computer studies to tune the radio or operate the heating. Towed the caravan a treat!

Fast facts

CX-5 GT Sport AWD

£37,905 (Range starts £29,245)

2.5 litre petrol 6sp auto 190bhp

0-62mph 9.3secs; 122mph

35.3mpg combined

182g/km. 1st tax £945

Boot: 522-1395 litres

Insurance group 26